Dubai, July 20: The principal of a school at the centre of an exam row yesterday denied that
results were doctored before being announced to cover up poor performance.

However, Pakistan School principal Majid Hussain refused to elaborate on why
so many pupils had failed at his school. Only 32 of 108 students passed the
secondary school certificate (part two) annual examinations conducted by the
Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Another 38 failed outright, while 37 others failed in two subjects and are
required to sit supplementary exams, meaning the pass rate was just 29.63 per
cent.

Mr Hussain blamed the poor showing on the fact that the Pakistan School was a
"community school" and was obliged "to accept all sorts of students".

He also admitted that the school had suffered administrative problems and
"discipline" issues over the past year, but refused to elaborate further.
However, Mr Hussain insisted the school administration was not being dishonest
when it announced a pass rate of 46pc - saying the 37 students who still had to
sit supplementary exams were not accounted for in the final pass percentage.

Pakistan Embassy community welfare counsellor confirmed yesterday that it had
met with an angry delegation of parents seeking action against the school. Mr
Gilani called the situation "alarming". Gulf Daily News